Content Area(s): Earth & Space Sciences Topic: Global Warming Short description: Scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research say that new studies suggest that energy entering the atmosphere can be absorbed by the ocean. If this heat is held deep in the ocean, the surface temperature would be unaffected and the energy could be released when oceanic circulation changes.
Claim: The ocean may be absorbing heat and hiding global warming.
Keywords: global warming Difficulty of Concept: Hard
MS-PS1 Matter and Its Interactions
MS-PS1-4. Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.
MS-LS2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
MS-LS2-3. Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem.
MS-ESS3 Earth and Human Activity
MS-ESS3-5. Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.
Common Core State Standards Connections:
ELA/Literacy
RST.6-8.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to the precise details of explanations descriptions.
RST.6-8.8 Distinguish among facts and reasoned judgment based on research findings, and speculation in a text.
WHST.6-8.1 Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
WHST.6-8.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational text to support analysis, reflection and research.
SL.8.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions(one-on-one, in groups, teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
A new analysis from scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) says that the oceans may be helping keep Earth cool. The study came out of a question scientists have been asking for a while. They know that the Earth is heating up, but why isn't it heating up faster? They programmed a computer to calculate where all of the extra heat was going. It turns out that the answer may lie at the bottom of the ocean.
Even though the Earth continues to get warmer, the rate has slowed down. As greenhouse gasses build up in the atmosphere, more heat from the sun gets trapped on Earth. That excess heat should be making the global temperatures rise. "This study suggests the missing energy has indeed been buried in the ocean," says Dr. Kevin Trenberth, one of the authors of the study. Eric DeWeaver, program director at the National Science Foundation, says that the scientists came up with a good explanation of where the heat went.
That doesn't mean we can ignore the increase in greenhouse gasses. "The heat has not disappeared and so it cannot be ignored. It must have consequences," says Trenberth.
The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming Author: Laurie David and Cambria Gordon Ages: Ages 9-12 Publisher: Scholastic Press, 2007 Science Concepts: Environment, climate change; This new resource for kids and parents treats global warming as a personal problem that we can all help solve. It is entertaining and at the same time provides a great deal of the science behind global warming, its effects and proposed solutions. The authors combine pop culture icons and humor (the first chapter is titled “A Greenhouse Gas is not Caused by an Orchid Grower who Ate Too Many Beans”) in an engaging resource that never forgets the message. Several features set this book apart from others on the subject: information about what states and cities are or are not doing to address the issue; suggestions for changing how schools can make a difference, and careers associated with solving Earth’s climate change problems. This is a highly recommended family resource, printed with soy inks on 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper! Every home should have this book!
Title: Deep Oceans and Global Warming
Content Area(s): Earth & Space SciencesTopic: Global Warming
Short description: Scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research say that new studies suggest that energy entering the atmosphere can be absorbed by the ocean. If this heat is held deep in the ocean, the surface temperature would be unaffected and the energy could be released when oceanic circulation changes.
Claim: The ocean may be absorbing heat and hiding global warming.
Keywords: global warming
Difficulty of Concept: Hard
Reading Level (Pit Stop 8 Article):
Flesch Reading Ease: 72.4Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level: 6.9
Lexile: 940
Next Generation Science Standards:
MS-PS1 Matter and Its InteractionsMS-PS1-4. Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.
MS-LS2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
MS-LS2-3. Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem.
MS-ESS3 Earth and Human Activity
MS-ESS3-5. Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.
Common Core State Standards Connections:
ELA/LiteracyRST.6-8.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to the precise details of explanations descriptions.
RST.6-8.8 Distinguish among facts and reasoned judgment based on research findings, and speculation in a text.
WHST.6-8.1 Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
WHST.6-8.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational text to support analysis, reflection and research.
SL.8.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions(one-on-one, in groups, teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Vocabulary Words: climate
Topic of Game Introduction Video: Theory
Link to Game Introduction Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=majhWDgDUVA
Full Text of Article:
A new analysis from scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) says that the oceans may be helping keep Earth cool. The study came out of a question scientists have been asking for a while. They know that the Earth is heating up, but why isn't it heating up faster? They programmed a computer to calculate where all of the extra heat was going. It turns out that the answer may lie at the bottom of the ocean.Even though the Earth continues to get warmer, the rate has slowed down. As greenhouse gasses build up in the atmosphere, more heat from the sun gets trapped on Earth. That excess heat should be making the global temperatures rise. "This study suggests the missing energy has indeed been buried in the ocean," says Dr. Kevin Trenberth, one of the authors of the study. Eric DeWeaver, program director at the National Science Foundation, says that the scientists came up with a good explanation of where the heat went.
That doesn't mean we can ignore the increase in greenhouse gasses. "The heat has not disappeared and so it cannot be ignored. It must have consequences," says Trenberth.
References/Sources:
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/216859/20110920/global-warming-deep-oceans-trap-missing-heat-creating-hiatus-periods.htm
Additional Content:
Author: Kathy Carlsen